Finding parts is anything tough to get right now?

[Voltranger]

We all know how it goes the busy season starts, projects stack up, and you're suddenly hunting for parts that are super hard to find. It's been happening to me lately, and I started wondering if it's just me. Have you guys noticed any parts or materials that are harder to get your hands on these days? Let us know what's been a pain to find and what you've been doing about it.

 

[TheOhmBreaker]

I feel you. I had a tiny project stuck for weeks since I couldn’t find the connectors I needed. Just bought a pack of all kinds just to get things going.

 

[Tovaren]

Same here. I was fixing up a small control thingy and couldn’t find the MOSFETs I usually get. I switched to a different one after checking everything a bunch of times. Not the best, but it kept me going.

 

[cuts&circuits]

For sure, I've noticed it this year. I was doing a sensor thing and kept getting delays on simple stuff like voltage regulators and some capacitors. It made things slower, and I had to change the design a bit to use what I could get. It's been a good lesson to buy stuff sooner and have some other choices ready.

 

[barfle]

I have a bunch of “legacy” (fifty-year-old) electronic devices, some of which have fairly special tubes, like PMTs and CRTs, as well as some unique mechanicals. Keeping them going is a bit like owning an old car - you buy another one just for the parts you can take from it.

 

[Alan]

Yeah, keeping old stuff running can feel like a never-ending job, but it's great when it all still works.